New Miss SUU To Be Crowned Friday

February 03, 2009Category: Special Events

Southern Utah University will take its official part in the search for next year's Miss America when it crowns a new Miss SUU, Friday, February 6, at the Heritage Center in downtown Cedar City at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to talent performances from this year’s Miss SUU hopefuls, the night promises a wide array of entertainment, with performances from the SUU Polynesian Club, a Native American performance by Miss SUU Native American 2008 Crystal Willie, and a hula entitled “I Miss You my Hawai’i” by current Miss SUU Timian Yoshimoto.

Swimsuit and evening wear competitions and an on-stage interview of contestants will be used, along with the talent competition to judge this year’s contestants.

Beyond the Miss SUU title, awards for Miss Photogenic, Spirit and Overall Interview will also be given by SUU head Football Coach Ed Lamb, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Yoshimoto, a junior Nursing major from American Fork, Utah, has the highest of accolades for the pageant, saying of her time as Miss SUU, "I am now a much stronger person. Being Miss SUU has helped me develop qualities it takes to become successful. Not only can I walk great in high heels, but I can also walk into job interviews with confidence and poise.”

When asked if she would recommend the experience to other women, Yoshimoto reflected, "If you asked me this a year ago my response would've been, 'only women who are interested should do pageants.' My answer now is yes, every woman should experience pageants. My involvement in pageants has helped me grow in so many ways. I know how to speak properly, how to hold and carry myself with confidence, and the importance of serving others. I discovered talents I never knew I had, and I now know better who I am and what I most value in myself and others. There are many other avenues to cultivate these characteristics, but pageants – and particularly Miss SUU, is how I was able to do it so quickly.”

Tickets to this year’s pageant, an official precursor to the 2010 Miss America competition, can be purchased in the SUUSA offices, from any of the contestants, or at the Heritage Center box office, 105 North 100 East, Cedar City. $5 for students, $7 for the general public.